Santa Rosa Academy guard Christian Gonzalez takes a shot Tuesday night. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
The Santa Rosa Academy boys basketball team lost 70-58 in their league opener against Temecula Prep on Tuesday night.
The Rangers looked to flip the script on the Patriots after losing to them three days ago by 27 points. They started the game off hot with a 9-2 lead minutes into the first quarter through a few 3-pointers. Santa Rosa was hot from behind the arc, hitting 12 3-pointers as a team.
But Temecula Prep responded to the Rangers’ great start by clawing back into the game with their 2-3 zone, which the Rangers had difficulty breaking down. The score was 18-15 Rangers at the end of the first quarter.
Temecula Prep continued to battle back, taking their first lead of the game at 20-18, but Santa Rosa immediately responded with a 3-pointer to take the lead back. That would be the main story of the second quarter. For every small run Temecula Prep went on, the Rangers responded with a big shot, making sure the deficit stayed small and keeping the crowd in the game. The Patriots took a 30-28 lead at halftime.
The third quarter got a bit wild and chippy as both teams attempted to take control of the game. Temecula Prep started the third period the same way they started the second, with a quick 5-0 run. But Santa Rosa once again responded with a 3-pointer to keep things close.
Guard Christian Gonzalez then hit three straight 3-pointers to add to the other two he hit earlier in the quarter, giving the Rangers a 46-43 lead midway through the third.
Gonzalez finished as the leading scorer for the Rangers with 22 points. Mycah Mason and Cory Moore rounded out the top scorers with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The second half of the third quarter spelled major trouble for Santa Rosa, however. Temecula Prep began to press hard as the Rangers attempted to bring the ball upcourt, forcing multiple turnovers and spearheading the Patriots to a 14-0 run. A pair of Rangers free throws halted the run and saw the quarter end with Santa Rosa trailing, 57-48.
Coach Tom Crunk commented after the game about the Rangers’ struggles in the second half of the third quarter.
“They pulled their press out, and there was about a three- or four -minute stretch there where we weren’t patient enough and they sped up our pace,” he said. “When we can play at our pace, we’re pretty effective.”
Santa Rosa (6-2) tried to claw back into the game in the fourth quarter with multiple opportunities to cut the lead to six, but Temecula Prep kept the Rangers at bay, never seeing their lead fall lower than eight. The 3-point shots were no longer falling for the Rangers.
Despite the loss, Crunk remained optimistic.
“What I took away from today is that we can play with anybody,” he said. “We might not have guys that are 6-5 or 6-6, but when we play as a team and trust each other… we’re gonna be very successful, so I am super excited.”
Santa Rosa will look to get back in the win column Thursday at Woodcrest Christian.
Tanner Strandt looks to pass during Tuesday’s game. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Cory Moore drives to the basket for the Rangers. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Mycah Mason dribbles against a defender Tuesday night. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Elijah Brewer is fouled on a shot attempt. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Josiah Marguez dives on the floor for a loose ball. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)
Mycah Mason drives to the basket. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
In a game earlier Tuesday night at Santa Rosa Academy, the Rangers girls basketball team lost to Temecula Prep, 54-29. The Rangers’ record dropped to 4-4.
Neima Moore takes an outside shot for the Rangers girls team. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
Mariama Jagne moves the ball upcourt for the Rangers. (Photo by Reece Kimes
Keely Mares shoots from the top of the key. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
